Nintendo 3DS

[rush45]

ok so this is a two part question. The first question is the 3DS nintendo's next handheld or is it just another variation of the DS such as DS lite and DSi? Like will nintendo be releasing another handheld to combat the PS vita or w/e or is that the 3DS?

The second question is: is the 3DS worth it? i know the game variety is small and mediocre right now but is the hardware solid? is it different enough to justify replacing a working DS with from your personal experiences?

 

[StriderShinryu]

Personally I wouldn't buy a 3DS right now. Nintendo claims it's not the new DS and while I'm not certain I believe them on that, it does give them something of an out to release a new handheld in a year or two to combat the Vita. The game selection, as you mention, is quite poor right now and the 3D aspect does seem to be generally agreed upon to be at best a gimmick and at worst literally sickness inducing.

If I were looking to replace a broken DS right now, I would just buy another DS. The 3DS doesn't have all of the features a DS does in the areas that matter to me (mainly full backwards compatibility). If I was looking for another handheld, I'd put my money down on a Vita or just wait. Even if Nintendo doesn't release a new DS to combat the Vita, I wouldn't be shocked if they gave both of their handhelds a modest price cut around the Vita launch.

 

[Cridhe]

I wouldn't buy it based on the fact it gives me a freakin' headache just playing a demo for 5 minutes at the store.

 

[Megabobster]

I just realized that I should probably go to sleep now (5:30 am), but I would not bother with the 3DS. 1, crappy hardware. 2, overpriced. 3, vomit/headache inducing 3D (and what's the point of a 3D console if it's otherwise bad and you can't use the 3D). 4, the PSV will probably have better long term support.

EDIT:
Clarification on the last point: Think of the PSP 1000. Released 6-ish years ago (don't know exactly...). Sony is still releasing firmware updates for it, as well as an extremely active homebrew community.

 

[Bromion]

I'd wait until some better games are available before buying one. The only reason I bought mine so soon was because I was able to trade in enough stuff at gamestop to get the system for a lower price I wouldn't have bothered otherwise.The hardware itself works fine though it still uses the same crappy cameras that the DSi used, so don't expect to take any decent pictures with the thing. The only preloaded software that I've used enough to have an opinion on are face raiders and the AR games. They are rather gimmicky, but they are fun and enough to keep yourself occupied for a time. The 3D effect works well enough, but I'm waiting to see how it looks on a decent game before I judge it's over all quality.My only real complaint about the 3DS is the battery life, which really is horrible. That's one of the most important things that Nintendo needs to fix if they want to live up to the standard they set with the original DS. I certainly don't regret buying one, but Nintendo needs to hurry up and release some decent software or the 3DS is going to flop.